Should I re-schedule my GRE

[MsAmira]

Hi there,

 

I have been preparing for the GRE for the last 3 weeks or so. I purchased the McGraw-Hill GRE prep book and thought that I was doing pretty well for myself. I was getting really high scores. But when I did the GRE practice test by ETS I did much worse than expected (I got 154-Verbal and 150-Qt). I found a great blog by Magoosh providing an overall review of the most popular GRE books and it seems that the one I purchased is not a good one! The authors tend to water-down the questions, making them seem way easier! So that explains why I did so well using the book but poorly on the online GRE test by ETS. I have other resources (BETTER resources) that I am going to use to better prepare for test day. 

 

My GRE is in two weeks and I don't know if I'll be prepared to write it then. My options are to either pay 50$ and re-schedule the GRE for a later point in time. I am thinking October (giving me about a month and a half to prep) or go ahead and write it in two weeks risking having to write it again (and paying 200$). The only drawback I see to re-scheduling is that if I don't do well on test day in October, I will most likely not be able to write it again (because of application deadlines). But then again, I'm not sure if I want to write the GRE too soon only to have to take it again anyways. 

 

To provide a certain context, the program I will be applying to is Clinical Psychology.

 

Hope everyone's studying is going well! Stay away from McGraw-Hill!!

[Vene]

I'd say it depends on how much time you have and if you genuinely think two weeks is enough time to learn the test. If you are able to devote a fair bit of time to test preparation you can probably get a respectable score come test day. If you are someone who can quickly learn the unwritten rules of standardized tests you also could have a shot at it.

 

Otherwise, it may be wise to reschedule it. Is it possible to reschedule it in September? Having an extra month to prepare may be all that you need while still giving you enough time to make another attempt. If not, I guess another question you have to ask yourself is how comfortable you are with risk. Taking it in a couple weeks and doing poorly mostly means you are out the time and money for the test itself, but you'll have enough chance in the fall to do well. If you reschedule it for October you may have more time to prepare, but that preparation means that you have to be comfortable with having the one to do well.

[Taeyers]

I'm afraid this will make me sound like a douchebag, and if it does, I apologize... but I only studied for a GRE for less than a week, almost entirely in the form of practice tests. A few vocab flash cards that I quickly got bored with and the ETS-supplied math review were all I did besides practice tests. I scored 166/166 on the actual test, which is better than I did on practice tests. It was unarguably an awful plan, but I had taken the MCAT previously and was so done cramming for these types of tests that I just couldn't make myself do more. To be fair, I generally test well and do well in math, but that could be true for you too. 

 

I noticed that the most important factor on the math section is to simply give yourself the time to work out a logical answer. No complex knowledge is required, and the time limit is reasonably comfortable, so you're just being asked to think logically about fairly basic numerical information. Practice tests were all I needed to feel good about that section, once I realized what they're really testing with it. 

Vocab was pretty discouraging for me, but on the real test I apparently just got lucky with narrowing down options and guessing from there. This is also not something that would likely improve with much more time spent studying, it was just luck.

 

Anyway, in your shoes, I would spend the 2 weeks taking practice tests and reading up on what they look for in a good writing response (I kind of stunk on this section because I thought it was pointless to study for it, but apparently there are some pretty specific desired qualities they want). Some vocab flash cards might be a good idea, but I wouldn't expect them to make a really huge difference. I would rather risk having to spend $150 extra bucks than not being able to re-take for a better score after postponing. $150 is really not that much in the grand scheme of grad school application expenses, while the chance to retake could make the difference between getting over the score cut-off or just missing it. 

[Persis]

I'm afraid this will make me sound like a douchebag, and if it does, I apologize... but I only studied for a GRE for less than a week, almost entirely in the form of practice tests. A few vocab flash cards that I quickly got bored with and the ETS-supplied math review were all I did besides practice tests. I scored 166/166 on the actual test, which is better than I did on practice tests. It was unarguably an awful plan, but I had taken the MCAT previously and was so done cramming for these types of tests that I just couldn't make myself do more. To be fair, I generally test well and do well in math, but that could be true for you too. 

 

I noticed that the most important factor on the math section is to simply give yourself the time to work out a logical answer. No complex knowledge is required, and the time limit is reasonably comfortable, so you're just being asked to think logically about fairly basic numerical information. Practice tests were all I needed to feel good about that section, once I realized what they're really testing with it. 

Vocab was pretty discouraging for me, but on the real test I apparently just got lucky with narrowing down options and guessing from there. This is also not something that would likely improve with much more time spent studying, it was just luck.

 

Anyway, in your shoes, I would spend the 2 weeks taking practice tests and reading up on what they look for in a good writing response (I kind of stunk on this section because I thought it was pointless to study for it, but apparently there are some pretty specific desired qualities they want). Some vocab flash cards might be a good idea, but I wouldn't expect them to make a really huge difference. I would rather risk having to spend $150 extra bucks than not being able to re-take for a better score after postponing. $150 is really not that much in the grand scheme of grad school application expenses, while the chance to retake could make the difference between getting over the score cut-off or just missing it. 

FYI the test cost $200.00 for Canadians and not $150.00

[Taeyers]

Right, but the alternative is to pay $50 to reschedule to a later date in exchange for a better chance at not having to retake, so the net difference between the two scenarios is $150, not $200.

Edited August 10, 2014 by Taeyers

[bsharpe269]

To offer a different opinion than Taeyers, I cannot cram for anything! I don't study well like that at all the my scores would drop simply due to the stress of needing to cram. I am the type of person who writes 1 paragraph of a paper a day for a week, not the type who cranks out the essay the evening that it is due. My fiance on the other hand works best under pressue and does much better work right before deadlines. Despite our different study methods, we do equally well in school and are both A students. I don't think that one study style is better than the other but you have to know the one that works for you and keep to it. So which way do you study best? I think that answering that question gives your answer to this question.

 

I also did pretty well on the GRE. I ended up with 168Q, 162V. I actually studied for 4 months to get this score. I probably did not total any more study hours than the people who study in a couple weeks, but I consistantly studied a couple hours a week for 3-4 months. This process worked really well for me and took the pressure off. I used magoosh to study and REALLY recommend it! The quant is harder than the actual test and prepares you well. I also memorized some vocab with their iphone app. I memorized their 250 most common words.

 

One alternative solution that might be worth considering is that many people freak out a bit on test day and let their nerves negatively affect their score. It could be helpful to study a bit between now and your current test day and then take the test as a practice "real" GRE. Familiarizing yourself with the test center and system may make you more comfortable on your real test day and could result in a better score in the end. This idea has the added bonus that if you end up studying enough between now and the 1st test to improve your score then you may not even need to sign up for the second test!

[Persis]

To offer a different opinion than Taeyers, I cannot cram for anything! I don't study well like that at all the my scores would drop simply due to the stress of needing to cram. I am the type of person who writes 1 paragraph of a paper a day for a week, not the type who cranks out the essay the evening that it is due. My fiance on the other hand works best under pressue and does much better work right before deadlines. Despite our different study methods, we do equally well in school and are both A students. I don't think that one study style is better than the other but you have to know the one that works for you and keep to it. So which way do you study best? I think that answering that question gives your answer to this question.

 

I also did pretty well on the GRE. I ended up with 168Q, 162V. I actually studied for 4 months to get this score. I probably did not total any more study hours than the people who study in a couple weeks, but I consistantly studied a couple hours a week for 3-4 months. This process worked really well for me and took the pressure off. I used magoosh to study and REALLY recommend it! The quant is harder than the actual test and prepares you well. I also memorized some vocab with their iphone app. I memorized their 250 most common words.

 

One alternative solution that might be worth considering is that many people freak out a bit on test day and let their nerves negatively affect their score. It could be helpful to study a bit between now and your current test day and then take the test as a practice "real" GRE. Familiarizing yourself with the test center and system may make you more comfortable on your real test day and could result in a better score in the end. This idea has the added bonus that if you end up studying enough between now and the 1st test to improve your score then you may not even need to sign up for the second test!

I also cannot cram for anything at all.  I am also the type of person that writes 1 paragraph of a paper a day for a week.  This even makes me worried about the two essays i have to write on the GRE.  I am a little terrified of it.  I don't know how i can write two essays in 1 hour.  I have been studying for a couple of hours a week as well since middle of April and my test is booked for middle of October.

[bsharpe269]

I also cannot cram for anything at all.  I am also the type of person that writes 1 paragraph of a paper a day for a week.  This even makes me worried about the two essays i have to write on the GRE.  I am a little terrified of it.  I don't know how i can write two essays in 1 hour.  I have been studying for a couple of hours a week as well since middle of April and my test is booked for middle of October.

 

You will be fine!! I am the same way and did well on the GRE anyway. Since I don't normally work well under pressure, it was really important that I remained calm during the test and didnt put any pressure on myself. I kept convincing myself that this was just another practice test and reminding myself that I would just retake if I needed to. I also tried to keep my normal routine the night before and morning of the test which helped keep the pressure off and let it just feel like I was doing a practice test on a normal morning. As far as the time limit, yeah that can be intimidating both for the essays and questions. Since I am bad at working under time contraints, I just had to get familiar enough with practice questions that I could answer them quickly and was not constrained on time. Let us know how you do but plenty of us who study the same way were successful on the GRE! It sounds like you are doing everything you need to do well.

[MsAmira]

Thanks so much for the responses everyone What a great forum!!

 

So, I decided to go ahead and write the exam. I'll go in and try and stay calm; not psyching myself out. Hopefully, it'll go better than expected. I was thinking to myself that writing it earlier will give me the option of writing it again if I need to. And quite honestly, there's a part of me that just wants to get this whole exam over with! I'll keep you all updated on how I do. 

 

I was having a moment of panic because I didn't feel really prepared. I still don't feel completely prepared, but I'll just go in and see how it goes *fingers crossed*

[Persis]

You will be fine!! I am the same way and did well on the GRE anyway. Since I don't normally work well under pressure, it was really important that I remained calm during the test and didnt put any pressure on myself. I kept convincing myself that this was just another practice test and reminding myself that I would just retake if I needed to. I also tried to keep my normal routine the night before and morning of the test which helped keep the pressure off and let it just feel like I was doing a practice test on a normal morning. As far as the time limit, yeah that can be intimidating both for the essays and questions. Since I am bad at working under time contraints, I just had to get familiar enough with practice questions that I could answer them quickly and was not constrained on time. Let us know how you do but plenty of us who study the same way were successful on the GRE! It sounds like you are doing everything you need to do well.

Thanks for the advice.  I will try to keep calm, and will let you all know the outcome.

[MsAmira]

Hi everyone!

 

So I wrote my GREs. Overall I am pleased with how I did, except my Math is a little low. As I mentioned, I am planning on applying to clinical psychology. I got:

156-Verbal

150-Math

5.0-Essay

 

I doubt I will re-take the GRE (despite my math being low), but if I could have anyone else's opinion on my overall scores, I'd appreciate it. I was looking at the average math score for psyc students and I believe it's around 151. I'm not looking at super competitive ivy league programs

[jujubea]

Our programs are not similar, but I have seen a lot of "combined 300" minimum requirements.  

From what I've read on here, a 5.0 AWA score will likely help you out a bit, too.

 

You're pretty brave.  I was in a bad situation for when my GRE was scheduled (I had a three-week long intensive evening activity which required a lot of unrelated memorization, and I would have been taking the GRE near the end of that whole ordeal... I was exhausted, and I ultimately decided to reschedule for 50 bucks.  New date is for next Friday, and it was definitely the best decision for me).

 

Good luck to you!  How's the rest of your package?

[MsAmira]

Our programs are not similar, but I have seen a lot of "combined 300" minimum requirements.  

From what I've read on here, a 5.0 AWA score will likely help you out a bit, too.

 

You're pretty brave.  I was in a bad situation for when my GRE was scheduled (I had a three-week long intensive evening activity which required a lot of unrelated memorization, and I would have been taking the GRE near the end of that whole ordeal... I was exhausted, and I ultimately decided to reschedule for 50 bucks.  New date is for next Friday, and it was definitely the best decision for me).

 

Good luck to you!  How's the rest of your package?

 

Thanks for the feedback I decided to re-write the GRE. Will be doing it next week. I thought to myself better safe than sorry. I just want to make sure I cover all my bases. Hopefully I will do better this time around.

 

In terms of my application, I have a high GPA (higher than the average of those admitted in Clinical pysc programs). I have research experience, volunteering, and I think a potential publication (I need to check on that though). I also have clinical experience (I worked as a Psychometrist for two seperate psychologists). It seems like a lot, but I'm also applying with hundreds of other very strong applicants... so I'm trying not to freak myself too much. But that's how the rest of my applications looks

[inesgs]

Hi everyone, 

 

So I have two GRE test dates (just in case) however after making them I realised that they are 20 days apart, not 21, so I have to cancel one. 

 

I have one Nov 22nd and the other on Dec 13th. I would really prefer to do it in December as I will take a course that ends in November BUT the deadline for HGSE is on Jan 5th. 

 

Has anyone taken the exam so late and had the grades arrive on time to the online application? 

It's supposed to take only 10-15 days but it worries me. 

 

Thanks! 

[rfer]

Hi everyone, 

 

So I have two GRE test dates (just in case) however after making them I realised that they are 20 days apart, not 21, so I have to cancel one. 

 

I have one Nov 22nd and the other on Dec 13th. I would really prefer to do it in December as I will take a course that ends in November BUT the deadline for HGSE is on Jan 5th. 

 

Has anyone taken the exam so late and had the grades arrive on time to the online application? 

It's supposed to take only 10-15 days but it worries me. 

 

Thanks! 

Hey! You and I both are in the EXACT same position. Applying to HGSE for IEP in 2015, My first GRE is on Nov. 22nd, and will most likely do so horrible on it that I'll need to take one later on, sometime in December. I would contact the admissions, I was told my November 22nd date was not too late, I'm sure Dec 13th or around then will be fine as long as you make sure with the admissions crew. If you do get an answer, please let me know! It would really help me too!

[jujubea]

Hi everyone, 

 

So I have two GRE test dates (just in case) however after making them I realised that they are 20 days apart, not 21, so I have to cancel one. 

 

I have one Nov 22nd and the other on Dec 13th. I would really prefer to do it in December as I will take a course that ends in November BUT the deadline for HGSE is on Jan 5th. 

 

Has anyone taken the exam so late and had the grades arrive on time to the online application? 

It's supposed to take only 10-15 days but it worries me. 

 

Thanks! 

 

If it were me I'd take the November one, because the stress of whether my scores got in on time would not be worth it to me...! But everybody has their own style and tolerance for different types of stresses...

[MsAmira]

OKAY! I just re-wrote my GRE (it was a lot of fun), and I got my scores back.

 

In my first GRE I scored 156-V, 150 Qt and 5.0 AWA. For this one I scored, 156-V and 153 Qt... AWA is pending.

 

I know my scores aren't remarkable, but my goal was to improve my qt which I did. And I'm glad I'm above the 50th percentile. Cumulatively my scores are 309 or 1280 on the old scale. Any feedback? I know I won't be writing the GRE again

[jujubea]

That's great! 

If you look at it another way, you improved your quant score by 12 percentile points! And that's excellent improvement!

Don't be fooled by the tiny 1-point increments You did great.

Good luck on your AWA score! I'm eagerly awaiting mine still too.

[MsAmira]

That's great! 

If you look at it another way, you improved your quant score by 12 percentile points! And that's excellent improvement!

Don't be fooled by the tiny 1-point increments You did great.

Good luck on your AWA score! I'm eagerly awaiting mine still too.

 

Thanks so much! best of luck on yours too!